For his inaugural trip abroad as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump will travel to Scotland to showcase the “top example” of his foreign policy experience–his golf course in Scotland that is “losing millions.”
When Trump arrives, he will not be met with a warm welcome. In fact, Donald Trump has a “long, tortured relationship with Scotland” and is “notoriously disliked” by Scots because of his business deals with little regard for the rural communities surrounding his properties.
But Trump’s problems with American allies don’t end there. During his campaign, Trump has cozied up with Russian President Vladimir Putin and won praise from a North Korean state paper, all while slandering women, the LGBT community, Mexicans, and Muslims–actions that prompted the British Parliament to debate a formal Donald Trump ban from the UK.
Trump’s alarming relationships with the world’s most notorious dictators and willingness to abandon our allies is cause for alarm and would have “dangerous consequences” for the United States.
Here’s a rundown of Trump’s friends and foes:
Scotland: Foe
FORTUNE: Here’s Why Donald Trump Should Expect a Chilly Reception In Scotland
“On Friday, presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump is set to visit Scotland –but there is probably no country in the world where he is least welcomed. Protests are already planned, and Scotland’s current First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to rebuff him.”
- Washington Post: Trump’s top example of foreign experience: A Scottish golf course losing millions
- TIME: Why Some People in Scotland Really Hate Donald Trump
- CNN: Scots protesting Trump raise Mexican flag near golf course
- CBS News: Scottish neighbors taunt Trump with Mexican tricolor
- BuzzFeed News: Trump: Wind Turbines Are “A Disaster For Scotland” Like The Lockerbie Bombing
- Mashable: People in Scotland have a clear message for Donald Trump when he visits
Vladimir Putin: Friend
Donald Trump: President Vladimir Putin is getting an “A” for his leadership. [Politico, 9/29/15; The O’Reilly Factor, Fox News, 9/19/15]
Donald Trump on Putin: “At least he’s a leader, unlike what we have in [the USA] country.” [CNN, 12/18/15]
Donald Trump said he was “honored” by Putin’s “very nice statement about me,” adding that Putin was “making mincemeat out of [Obama]. He is a strong leader.” [Meet The Press, NBC News, 12/20/15]
Donald Trump defended Putin on charges he killed journalists — “In all fairness to Putin … have you been able to prove that? … I haven’t seen any evidence that he’s killed anybody in terms of reporters.” [This Week, ABC News, 12/20/15]
- CNN: Donald Trump’s bromance with Vladimir Putin
- Washington Post: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and a budding international bromance
- CNN: Donald Trump’s foreign policy speech earns praise in Russia
- Washington Post: Inside Trump’s financial ties to Russia and his unusual flattery of Vladimir Putin
- Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump Goes His Own Way With Vladimir Putin
- Quartz: Donald Trump has a Russian twin named Vladimir
- Slate: Trump the Chump
“Of course Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un support the presumptive GOP nominee. He serves their interests.”
United Kingdom: Foe
Donald Trump on Prime Minister David Cameron: “It looks like we’re not going to have a very good relationship.” [CNN, 5/16/16]
Donald Trump called the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan “very rude.” [Wall Street Journal, 5/16/16]
- NPR: British Lawmakers Debate Banning Trump For Rhetoric On Muslims
- USA Today: Banned in Britain? Parliament debates keeping Trump out
- The Washington Post: U.K. Parliament debate: Donald Trump gets pummeled by the British
- CNN: Parliament to debate banning Donald Trump from UK
- The Guardian: ‘Hate crime is being inflamed’: MPs debate banning Donald Trump from UK
Kim Jong-Un: Friend
Donald Trump on Kim Jong-Un: “You’ve gotta give him credit… he goes in. He takes over. He’s the boss. It’s incredible.” [Campaign Rally, Ottumwa IA, 1/9/16]
Donald Trump said “I would speak to [Kim Jong -Un], I would have no problem speaking to him.” [CNN, 5/18/16]
- Politico: North Korean state paper praises Trump
- Huffington Post: North Korean Editorial Backs Donald Trump For U.S. President
- New York Times: Donald Trump Says He Would ‘Accept’ Visit by Kim Jong-un
- Daily Beast: Make America Meek Again—Why Dictators Dig Trump
“Asia’s authoritarians are endorsing the Donald, and his willingness to walk away from America’s longtime allies. North Korea has all but endorsed the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.”
NATO ALLIES: Foe
Donald Trump: “I think NATO is obsolete.” [ABC’s This Week, 3/27/16]
Donald Trump on his foreign policy: “If it breaks up NATO, it breaks up NATO.” [New York Times, 4/2/16]
- New York Times: Donald Trump Says NATO is ‘Obsolete,’ UN is ‘Political Game’
- Real Clear Politics: Trump: NATO Is Obsolete And Expensive, “Doesn’t Have The Right Countries In It For Terrorism”
South Korea: Foe
Donald Trump suggested the United States should withdraw its 28,000 troops defending South Korea from North Korea. TRUMP: “We have 28,000 soldiers sitting up at the line, and between North Korea right now between North Korea and South Korea. I wouldn’t want to be necessarily sitting there. Could be a hot zone. But we get almost nothing for what we do. We defend the world. We defend so many countries. We get nothing. They get everything, we get nothing. South Korea’s going to have to start ponying up, okay?” [Fox & Friends, Fox News, 1/6/16]
Donald Trump: “We are better off frankly if South Korea is going to start protecting itself.” “What we’ve learned about Trump’s world view ‘Japan is better if it protects itself against this maniac of North Korea,’ Trump told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Tuesday. ‘We are better off frankly if South Korea is going to start protecting itself … they have to protect themselves or they have to pay us.’” [CNN, 3/31/16]